The Border Mail is reporting tonight (to be published tomorrow morning) that the liturgy for blessing the parties to a same-sex marriage will not be used this Saturday. The delay is in response to the Primate’s request not to carry out the service until the Appellate Tribunal has considered the matter.
Bishop Parkes said he was not surprised, but insisted it was just “a delay, rather than an abandonment”.
“We will give the appellate tribunal a chance to meet and consider and we will be actively involved in presenting our views before the tribunal,” he said.
“I can’t for the life of me believe that we won’t be able to bless people, but if not, some of us will have to consider our position very carefully.”
…
While other bishops have previously ignored requests from Primate Freier to not take certain actions before an appellate tribunal hearing, Bishop Parkes said “the proper thing is not to” and it would be “rude”.
Nevertheless, there will be a service held this coming Saturday following on from the marriage of John Davis and Robert Whalley which happened today in Melbourne.
Parkes decision to resile from conducting the full blessing avoids immediate action against him and now shifts attention squarely onto a number of upcoming events; the bishops’ meeting later this year, next year’s “special session” of General Synod and the eventual verdict of the Appellate Tribunal.
This is what Christ, through Paul wrote on marriage:
“Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.” But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.” 1 Corinthians 7 –
Only God can bless people. I don’t think he is likely to bless a gay sexual relationship.
Churches which Bless as Holy what the Bible and the word of God has declared as sinful is blasphemy and a denial of Gods authority.